FUNERAL SERVICE: ELDERLY CHRISTIAN WOMAN by George Crumbly
Service for Emma Faye McGill (My Grandmother)
December 22, 1995 2:00pm
Lake Wales Church of the Nazarene
Lake Wales Florida
Acts 20: 36-38
"A Time Of Parting"
We come today to pay our final tribute of respect to Mrs. Emma Faye McGill. Some of you knew her as Granny, Emma, Mrs McGill, Emma Faye, Mama, Mother.
For the past 39 years I knew her as "Granny Gill"
(Acts 20: 36-38) "And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. And they all wept sore, and fell on Pauls neck, and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship."
Pray
1. Paul had just completed his 2nd missionary tour. He called for the elders of Ephesus to come together in order to encourage them. (I remember Granny Gill being an encourager) This world needs a lot more encouragers today. Paul was preparing to leave, he was saying his goodbyes.
2. Goodbyes are always moving experiences. IT WAS:
I. A TIME OF SORROW:
A. Because they would "see his face no more."
1. Death is a similar experience. This is one reason folks have such a hard time dealing with
death. It is hard when you know you will not see a loved one again.
2. Granny Gill was a very important part of this familys life and it will be difficult because we
will not see her again in this life.
B. Because of the effect Paul had on their lives.
1. Paul had introduced them to Jesus Christ. He had led them to the Lord.
2. Paul then nurtured their faith. He was there as they grew in grace, as they too became
disciples he was there for them.
3. Paul watched over them and instructed them in the faith.
** It’s difficult today for this family because of the effect Granny Gill had on our lives.
* She had an effect on me growing up. She made a positive impact on my life.
* I remember each Thanksgiving coming to her house and eating dinner. I remember going
the back room and watching Championship Wrestling from Florida with Gordon Solie, Dusty
Rhodes, Dick murdock, the Great Malinko and all of the other.
* We always watched football, when the Redskins were on TV she would step into the back
room although she was busy she would check on and see how the Washington Redskins
were doing because they were her favorite team.
* I won’t ever forget all of the fried chicken she cooked. You know they say that fried chicken
is the "gospel bird" so she might have been instrumental in preparing me for God’s calling on
my life to become a preacher. (By feeding me all that chicken)
* I remember many, many good times at Granny Gills house. I thank god today for these
memories.
C. Their sorrow was openly expressed.
verse 37: "and they all wept sore, and fell on Pauls neck, and kissed him."
1. Weeping is a language that is understood by all.
2. Even Jesus wept. (A good preacher friend of mine used to say he didn’t trust a man that
didn’t cry)
IT WAS:
II. A TIME OF SEPARATION:
A. Paul was leaving them for the last time.
1. I felt the Friday after Thanksgiving when we went to see Granny Gill in the hospital that it
might possibly be the last time I would see her while she was in this body.
2. I believe that as the days drew closer that the family probably sensed that she would soon
be leaving this old world.
3. Each and every day you & I get closer to our leaving this world. You see September 23,
1956 I began to die. We aren’t guaranteed of tomorrow.
(Proverbs 27:1) "Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth."
(Hebrews 9:27) "And it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."
4. We must be ready for this day as it might very well be here before you know it.
IT WAS:
III. A TIME OF VICTORY:
A. They realized that they indeed would see Paul again. Not in this life but in the life to come.
1. I believe that I one day will get to see Granny Gill again.
(I Thessalonians 4:13-15) "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep."
2. Death is the very first step we take into eternity. We can have complete victory in death thru
Jesus Christ our Lord. Today I believe that Granny Gill has complete victory.
3. Granny Gill definetly has made an impact on this family. She got alzheimers and suffered.
She wasn’t able to be the Mother she wanted to be. Yet this family pulled together.
(The early church pulled together and grew stronger with each tribulation)
4. She would be extremely proud of her family today. When we were pastoring in Arkansas
whenever we got to come home my Mom’s family always planned a get together with us
before we left to go home.
5. This is the very way I want my family to be. So she has had a tremendous effect on my
family even today.
Today if you want to see granny Gill again then you are going to have to give your heart over to Jesus Christ. You see we can’t bring her back.
(II Samuel 12:22-23) "And he said, while the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me."
If we are to see Granny Gill again, we must go to her.
The Lord’s Prayer
